Rock My Sox

Sox take 3 out of 4 from the Tigers

2008-05-08T21:59:00.005-04:00

Jacoby hitting the sac fly in the 2nd inning

1st inning- Jacoby Ellsbury had a 9 pitch at bat and singled.

2nd inning- Jacoby hit a sac fly that scored Jason Varitek.

5th inning- Ellsbury singled to right field.
5th inning- Dustin Pedroia was robbed of a base hit by diving left fielder, Matt Joyce.
5th inning- Kevin Youkilus hit a 2 run homerun which scored Ellsbury.

6th inning- Jacoby grounded to shortstop and the Tigers got the force out in Crisp at 2nd base.
6th inning- Beckett struck out Brandon Inge, which makes it 1000 strikeouts for Josh in his career.

7th inning- Jacoby got a single which bounced off of the pitcher's leg and was not playable for any of the Tiger's infielders. Tek got to 3rd safely; Crisp got to 2nd safely.
7th inning- Ortiz grounded out and the Sox left the bases loaded.

Beckett had 8 K's, no walks and gets the win. Final score- 5-1 Red Sox.

Jacoby Ellsbury still perfect

2008-05-08T21:50:00.003-04:00

Jacoby Ellsbury still perfect

DETROIT - There is a good reason why Jacoby Ellsbury [stats] would have no recollection of being caught stealing in a Red Sox [team stats] uniform: It hasn’t happened.
With a pair of steals last night at Comerica Park, Ellsbury improved to 22-for-22 in the majors. He is tied with Minnesota’s Carlos Gomez and Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki for the AL lead this season, with 13.
Close calls? Only one attempt, from last season, stood out in his mind.

“Nothing really,” Ellsbury said before the Sox’ 10-9 loss to the Detroit Tigers. “I went on Andy Pettitte last year. I think that was the closest one.”
Just hours after the declaration, the center fielder was forced to amend the assessment. He came dangerously close to being thrown out by Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez on steal No. 2.
“That one,” Ellsbury said, “takes over as the closest.”
Other than the swipe against the New York Yankees’ Pettitte, which is one of three steals the rookie has against lefties, there is one lifetime attempt that stands out. Playing for Madras (Ore.) High, Ellsbury was caught stealing for the only time in his high school career against rival Culver.
“I still think I was safe,” he said.
The out call evidently was such an aberration that a photo of the play was plastered on the front of the local sports page, with those who witnessed the moment, such as Jim Ellsbury, the player’s father, able to analyze the failed execution.
“Our field was like cement, so the coach always had to remind the kids to slide because it would just tear you up,” Jim Ellsbury said. “That might have factored into it.” - Boston Herald

Boston phenom Ellsbury too good not to be an everyday player

2008-05-08T21:36:00.004-04:00

Boston phenom Ellsbury too good not to be an everyday player

DETROIT -- Jacoby Ellsbury went 0-for-5 here Monday night, showed up Tuesday and wasn't in Boston's lineup.

No benching. No punishment. No orders for extra work.

Jacoby Ellsbury hasn't done much wrong since reaching the bigs, yet he occasionally gets benched. (US Presswire)
It's just, well, that Coco Crisp guy is still around, Ellsbury has been battling a slight groin strain and, as Red Sox manager Terry Francona said, "It doesn't hurt to use your whole team."

Boston's Embarrassment of Riches program continues. You win with depth, and the Red Sox, who whomped Detroit again Tuesday 5-0, are deep. Really deep. Clubs like San Diego and Florida can't find a decent center fielder, and the Red Sox push forward with two.

They've yet to trade Crisp, which makes not enough innings for him and Ellsbury and keeps Francona on his toes finding enough playing time for the two.

In many other places, Ellsbury, 24, would be well on his way toward becoming a star by now. Are you kidding? This kid is as natural as a Whole Foods market.

Red Sox fans developed a crush on him last September and completely fell in love when he batted .438 during the World Series. Red Sox players wish they had his tools. Red Sox legends swoon.

"Ellsbury could be the next Ted Williams," Johnny Pesky, a former teammate of Williams, told me this spring. "He runs better. He throws better. I like his makeup. He wants to do everything properly.

"The thing with him is he works on stuff he needs to work on. You look at him and think he's the perfect player. He runs good, he's got a good bat, he's a great outfielder. But he works."

Take Tuesday. Not in the lineup, Ellsbury took his normal rounds of early hitting. A video junkie, he studied each of his at-bats from the night before (a pop to short, ground ball to third, two whiffs and a fly ball to deep center he absolutely crushed).

"I look at the game film to see what I did right and what didn't go so well," he said. "And you build from there."

When he isn't playing, he spends his time in the dugout intently studying the opposing pitcher -- Tuesday, it was Detroit's Nate Robertson -- because he figures he'll be facing the guy later in the season. He also studies the positioning of the outfielders, whether the defense shifts at all -- however slightly -- with two strikes on the hitter, is the hitter trying to move the runner over and assorted other things.

"Subtle adjustments," he said. "That's what's going to separate the average guy from the great guy." - cbs.sportsline.com

May 7th Game Review [Sox lose 10-9]

2008-05-08T13:35:00.002-04:00

1st inning- Jacoby singled to center. Jed then hit a grounder but fell out of the batters box which resulted in a double play which erased Jacoby from the bases.

3rd inning- Jacoby struck out looking.

4th inning- Youkilus hit a 2 run homeR.

4th inning- Ellsbury hit a single to second base. He then stole 2nd. Ellsbury then scored on a single from Ortiz.

6th inning- Kevin Youkilus hit another homer which brought the score up to 8-5 Tigers. Youk now has 6 homeruns on the year.

7th inning- Jacoby had a line drive single to left field. He then stole his 22nd base in the big leagues, and has still not been caught.

7th inning- Mike Lowell hit a 3 run homer which scored Jacoby from 3rd base and Manny from 1st.

8th inning- Jacoby struck out swinging.

8th inning- Dustin Pedroia pinch hit for Jed Lowrie and got a single which scored Drew and gave the sox the 9-8 lead.

9th inning- Lugo makes another freakin error and blows a save for Paps because of it. Polanco got a walk off base hit which gave the Tigers a 10-9 win

Jacoby Ellsbury-- Rookie of the month! (April)

2008-05-06T22:14:00.004-04:00

Please click on the picture of Jacoby above to be redirected to MLB.com where you can vote for Jacoby as the Rookie of the month for April!

Deprived of Jacoby until the 9th inning...

2008-05-06T22:02:00.002-04:00

Unfortunately, Jacoby Ellsbury was not in the lineup tonight. Instead, Coco was in center field and Jacoby had the day off. However, in the bottom of the 9th inning Manny came out of the came and Ellsbury came into left field. He also made the final catch that ended the game.

David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez also hit back-to-back homers, which was the 47th time that they have hit home runs in the same game. Manny's homer also brings him to HR number 497 of his career.

Wakefield had a great night only giving up 2 hits, no walks and had 6 strikeouts. Wake left after the 8th after throwing 98 pitched and Timlin came in to finish the game; Wakefield got the win.

Sox won 5-0.

Ellsbury continues to be pace-setter for Sox

2008-05-06T19:49:00.006-04:00

Jacoby Ellsbury continues to be the pace-setter for the Sox at the top of their lineup and ranks among the AL's top 10 in runs scored (second with 25), stolen bases (third with 11) and on-base percentage (fourth with .415) this season. The Sox are also an amazing 12-2 when Ellsbury scores at least one run this season, and are also averaging a scant 2.13 runs per game when the speedy outfielder is missing from the lineup card.

Quiet night for Jacoby

2008-05-05T22:48:00.003-04:00

Jacoby was very quiet in the series opener against the Detroit Tigers. Heres a quick summary of his at bats:

1st inning- Flew out to Edgar Renteria (shortstop)
3rd inning- Grounded out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.
4th inning- Struck out looking.
7th inning- Struck out looking.
9th inning- Granderson made a diving catch which robbed Jacoby from what had the possibility of maybe being an inside the park homer with Jacoby's speed.

On the other hand, other Sox players had great nights. For example, in the 2nd inning Mike Lowell hit his 1st homerun of the season and got his first 2 RBIs of the season (Manny had a double prior to Mikey's at bat). Mikey's homer put the Sox on top 2-0.

In the 4th inning, Mike Lowell hit a double, Youk then hit a homerun putting the Sox on

top 4-0.

In the 7th inning, Dustin Pedroia got his 14th double of the season. David Ortiz then got a base hit which scored Dustin; which gave Ortiz RBI #25 of the year.

In the 9th inning, David Ortiz got his 6th homerun of the season giving the Sox a 6-3 lead.

Dice K had 8 walks, gave up 2 hits and 1 run. Even after giving up so many walks, he still managed to get the win. Papelbon got the save.

Sox won it 6-3.

In honor of the Celtics winning game 7...

2008-05-04T21:04:00.003-04:00

I thought that this picture fit the occasion perfectly. =)

Craig Hansen called up

2008-05-04T20:57:00.002-04:00

Reliever Craig Hansen has been called up from Pawtucket to fill Brandon Moss' spot on the roster.

However, I dont really understand this move. The bullpens not doing that bad, and the starters having been lasting at least 6 innings lately. So, i dont understand why we need another reliever. With Moss out, dont we need more outfielders? Supposedly Coco not fully healed, and what if something was to happen to another outfielder? Then what would we do? I thought that they would bring up Thurston, he may not be a great hitter, but hes an outfielder. And i understand that Lugo can play outfield, but i read in an article that he said that he doesnt want to because he feels uncomfortable in the outfield because thats not where he belongs. But ahh, i dont know. If only Epstein asked me for my advice on the matter! Haha.

Update on Brandon Moss and Sox Outfield Situation

2008-05-04T18:55:00.001-04:00

Bench stretched thin with Moss out
Rookie outfielder feeling OK after undergoing appendectomy

On Saturday night, after rookie outfielder Brandon Moss underwent an appendectomy at Massachusetts General Hospital, Red Sox manager Terry Francona suggested his team would play Sunday's series finale vs. the Rays a man short.
On Sunday morning, Francona stuck by his initial suggestion.

"There's going to have to be a roster move, but I don't think we're going to do it today," said Francona. "I think because our bullpen is OK and our team is nicked up, we'd prefer to kind of get through today and then see where we stand going on this road trip."

With Moss gone and Jacoby Ellsbury then forced into the starting lineup when David Ortiz was a late scratch because of right knee tightness, shortstop Julio Lugo became the likely extra outfielder. He had made one appearance in the outfield this year for the Red Sox -- and made three for the Dodgers in 2006.

Because the bullpen was in good shape, the Red Sox didn't need to add a pitcher for Sunday's game, either.

"It's one game. We just don't want to get into a situation where we call somebody up, something happens, we have to option somebody, then there's the 10-day [rule]," said Francona. "I think we're better off waiting until the end of today."

Francona reported Moss was about to be released from the hospital, "which is unbelievable to me.

"He's doing OK. They did the procedure last night and he's going to get checked out and head probably to his apartment in about an hour. We're still trying to sort out what's in his best interests -- probably let him go home for 10 days and then maybe to Florida to ramp back up, just depending on the timetable, how he's doing."

Moss was feeling well on Friday, when he had two hits, including his second career home run, scored two runs and had an outfield assist in the Red Sox's 7-3 victory vs. the Rays. He wasn't feeling well when he got to the ballpark Saturday and was sent to the hospital as a precautionary move. Surgery was performed during Boston's 12-4 victory and the Red Sox reported after the game Moss was out of surgery and doing well.

Moss is batting .286 with two homers and three RBIs in six games with the Red Sox. He started the season with the team in Japan, was sent to Pawtucket and recalled April 26.
-www.bostonherald.com

Pedroia, Ellsbury are at top of their game (Referring to May 3rd's game)

2008-05-04T18:44:00.002-04:00

Pedroia, Ellsbury are at top of their game

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia isn’t immune to batting slumps, but he doesn’t stay mired in them for long.

Pedroia put an end to an 0-for-16 slide with three hits and three RBI Friday night against Tampa Bay.

Last night he nearly duplicated that effort on behalf of Red Sox [team stats] starter Josh Beckett by going 3-for-5 with a double, two runs and an RBI in a 12-4 victory over the Rays.

The last time Pedroia posted consecutive three-hit games July 18 and 19 of last season.

Pedroia is a contact hitter whose particular skills are enhanced batting second in the order behind speedy center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and ahead of sluggers David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.

“He does a good job there,” said Ellsbury, who contributed two runs on a 2-for-4 hitting performance last night. “He’s aggressive but at the same time he waits for a good pitch to hit and he’s always making contact.

“That’s what you want from a guy hitting in that spot in front of those guys,” Ellsbury added.

The foursome at the top of manager Terry Francona’s batting order got the Red Sox offense up and running against Tampa Bay starter James Shields, who blanked the Sox 3-0 at Tropicana Field last weekend.

Ellsbury led off with a single up the middle and went to second on Pedroia’s base hit to left. David Ortiz brought home Ellsbury with a double to left. Manny Ramirez gave Beckett a 3-0 lead with a two-run single to center.

“It was good to get off to a fast start like that especially when you have Beckett on the mound,” said Ellsbury. “When you get a couple of runs early you get a lot off confidence.

“For me, I was trying to get a pitch in the zone and drive it. The first time I faced him I was a little too anxious and was maybe swinging at pitches out of the zone.”

Ellsbury and Pedroia continued their blitz on Shields in the second. Ellsbury drew a one-out walk, reached second on a wild pitch and scored on Pedroia’s single to right. Pedroia prompted Shield’s early exit when he opened the fourth with a double off the wall in left center and scored on Ortiz’ second opposite field double of the game.

The top four batters in the Red Sox’ lineup accounted for six of their first seven runs.

“Getting a couple of runs in the fourth with Beckett going allowed us to relax and swing freely.” said Ellsbury. -www.bostonherald.com

Ellsbury game review (May 4th)

2008-05-04T17:25:00.004-04:00

Ellsbury was supposed to have a scheduled day off today. However, Ortiz was scratched because of tightness in his knee. Therefore, Ellsbury was put into left field, and Manny Ramirez became the DH.

Unfortunately, Ellsbury's bat was pretty quiet in this afternoon's game, but he sure made his speed known. Jacoby got another in field hit in todays game in the first inning. He then got to second on a walk from Pedroia, and that was followed by a double steal from Jacoby and Dusty. And Jacoby scored the first run of the game on a sac fly from Youk in the 1st. Jacoby also made a great catch in left field at the top of the 1st inning; a catch that Manny definately wouldn't have been able to make.

In the 8th inning, Ellsbury was walked, he then stole 2nd which was part of another double steal but this time is was Ellsbury and Lugo. After todays game, Ellsbury is now up to 11 stolen bases in the 2008 season.

Kevin Youkilus also had a great afternoon. He had 2 doubles, a homerun, and 4 RBIs.

The Sox ended up sweeping the rays, winning todays game 7-3. Jon Lester got the win; Jonathan Papelbon got the save.

Kazmir vs. Ellsbury

2008-05-03T23:16:00.002-04:00

Random Ellsbury Stats

2008-05-03T22:54:00.002-04:00

vs. Left: .182
vs. Right: .299
Home: .375
Road: .184
Day: .333
Night: .259
Grass: .309
Turf: .217
Current Month: .333
Last 30 Days: .290

Great night for the Sox (May 2nd)

2008-05-03T22:44:00.004-04:00

The Red Sox have taken game 2 of the 3 game series against the Rays winning 12-4. The Sox had an amazing 15 hit night. And i'm happy to say- that Big Papi is coming out of his slump! He had 2 doubles, and a single in tonights game. Every player in the starting lineup had at least 1 hit tonight.

Jacoby Ellsbury also had a single, a walk (his 16th of the season), and a double. He also reached second on a past ball after the walk.

Brandon Moss! =(

2008-05-03T22:36:00.002-04:00

Terry Francona just said that Brandon Moss is getting his appendix removed right now. He wasnt feeling well and they took him to Mass General hospital and he is getting them removed as i write this. I am absolutely speechless, i did not see this coming!

This article got me kind of mad =/

2008-05-03T20:34:00.005-04:00

Francona: ‘Pain’ excuse only goes so far

BOSTON — Jacoby Ellsbury was back in center field and leading off for the Sox when the game against the Tampa Bay Rays finally began last night after more than a two-hour rain delay. He had missed the previous three games because of a sore groin.

Manager Terry Francona went out of his way to say he wasn’t calling out Ellsbury, but he engaged in a discussion of the difference between pain and injury in his pre-game media gathering.

“There’s a fine line,” said Francona. “You’re not always going to be 100 percent. We can’t wait for guys to be 100 percent. If we did, we couldn’t field a team. There’s a responsibility [to play]. They’re protective [of players and their aches and pains] in the minors and they’re supposed to be. We try to be [also], but every game here is a big deal.”

Francona again mentioned that Ellsbury thought he’d be ready to play after the day off on Monday, but he wasn’t, intimating that he thought the rookie should have come in Monday for treatment. Francona said the situation has given him and his staff an opportunity to talk to Ellsbury, as they do with all young players, in trying to educate them about the way things are done in the big leagues.

Francona brought up outfielder Coco Crisp, who played the last two nights despite a sore knee, as an example of doing what needs to be done even if a player isn’t 100 percent.

Then there’s J.D. Drew, another outfielder, who has been sidelined because of a sore quadriceps and has the reputation as being a player who won’t play with pain. Drew left Tuesday night’s game after one at-bat and hasn’t resurfaced, though Francona indicated he might return to the lineup tomorrow.

Weather not helping aching Crisp

Crisp, who is nursing a sore left knee and a tight right hamstring, was out of the starting lineup, leaving Brandon Moss to replace Drew in right.

Crisp said his hamstring actually loosens up and feels better as a game goes along, but that his knee gets stiffer as the innings go by, especially given the cold weather that the Sox have endured this week on this homestand. Crisp was smiling about his “extra” at-bat Thursday night. Crisp lofted what appeared to be the game-ending fly ball to shallow right field, but the pitch was waved off when second base umpire Bruce Dreckman called Toronto left-hander B.J. Ryan for a balk on that delivery to the plate.

So Crisp, spared an 0-for-4 at least momentarily, got back in the box. He made the second chance pay off, lining a single to right.

“That salvaged the night,” he said.

-Projo.com

And Terry Francona contradicts himself by saying this in another article:

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said he wouldn’t have played Ellsbury had there been a doubt about his health.

“I think he’s fine,” said Francona. “We really try not to play guys if they’re not ready to play. We probably could have played him last night, but I don’t know if that would have made sense.”
-www.enterprisenews.com

Shields vs. Ellsbury

2008-05-03T14:20:00.003-04:00

James Shields, who is pitching for Tampa Bay tonight hasnt been so easy on Jacoby Ellsbury. Ellsbury has had 4 at bats facing Shields, with no hits, and 1 strikeout. Hopefully that will change in tonights game.

Sox take game 1 from Rays

2008-05-03T00:50:00.006-04:00

After the 2 and a half hour rain delay, the game finally began at 9:30. Its now 12:49and the Sox have just beat Tampa Bay for the first time this season winning 7-3.

Jacoby had a pretty good first night back after missing 3 games because of a sore right groin. He had 1 hit which scored Varitek, a stolen base, a walk, and an intentional walk.

Brandon Moss also had his 2nd career homerun; but his first in North America. (I had to add that, it just sounds kinda funny...lol) Moss also stopped a run from scoring by throwing him out at homeplate in the 2nd inning.

ALso, the Red Sox offense is definately coming back! The Sox had 13 hits in tonights game.

Jacoby Ellsbury partnering up with owater

2008-05-03T00:35:00.005-04:00

owater, maker of healthy enhanced
waters, today announced it has signed Boston baseball player Jacoby
Ellsbury to endorse its infused owater line of all-natural sports drinks.
The two-year partnership links the fast-rising player with the up and
coming beverage brand. Ellsbury will be featured in the Massachusetts-based
company's radio advertising campaign as well as point of sale and other
marketing campaigns.

"I first tried infused owater at spring training and I was so excited
to finally find a sports drink that doesn't taste too sweet," said Jacoby
Ellsbury. "I think about everything I put in my body when I am training, so
I want a drink that's tasty, healthy and functional, not something loaded
with sugar and artificial ingredients. infused owater is a better sports
drink, and I am glad to help get the word out about it."

The deal with owater is Ellsbury's first partnership with a beverage
company. Ellsbury's exciting debut and bright future in professional
baseball and his intense approach to fitness and training in the off-season
make him an obvious fit for the two-year-old beverage brand.

"Jacoby is the perfect match for owater. He is an incredible athlete,
he's authentic and he is one of the most exciting guys in baseball," said
Tom First, founder of owater. "The parallel between where Jacoby is in his
career and where we are as a brand is not lost on us. owater is a young
upstart competing against some big leaguers in beverage, and like Jacoby,
we are on the rise."

The owater/Jacoby radio ads, which will air on New England radio
stations starting this spring, will feature First talking with Ellsbury
about training with infused owater. Ellsbury will also appear in point of
sale materials posted at stores where owater is sold as well as in other
marketing campaigns.

owater makes three lines of healthy enhanced water: infused owater,
unsweetened owater and sport owater. owater drinks are made from purified
water, natural flavor and functional enhancements; they do not contain fake
sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup or artificial coloring. infused
owater, the company's all-natural, water alternative to high-sugar sports
drinks, is available in seven flavors including black raspberry,
lime/lemon, peach/mango, pineapple/orange/banana, blueberry, coconut and
strawberry. owater products are produced regionally and distributed
nationally in chain and independent stores.

owater was founded by Tom First, who also co-founded Nantucket Nectars,
which was sold to Cadbury-Schweppes in 2002. Based in Concord,
Massachusetts, the company is backed by Lexington, MA-based Highland
Consumer Fund and also counts Chef Ming Tsai, Kevin Garnett, Tiki Barber,
Steve Young and Chad Gifford among its investors. More information about
owater can be found at owater.com

Jacoby Graphic!!!

2008-05-02T20:22:00.005-04:00

I'm going to try to make at least 2 graphics a week, specifically Jacoby Ellsbury graphics. Feel free to take them. However, please leave a comment if you are going to use it. Thanks. =P

Vote for Jacoby!!!

2008-05-02T19:34:00.004-04:00

All-Star game time is just around the corner, and voting has begun! Unfortunately, Jacoby is not on the ballot. However, his name can be written in at the bottom of the ballot before you submit it.

To vote for Jacoby on 2008 All Star Game ballot, just click the picture of Jacoby above. It will take you to the online ballot, and make sure that you write in Jacoby Ellsbury at the bottom of the ballot!! =)

Ellsbury's Back!!!

2008-05-02T19:19:00.003-04:00

I'm sure that I'm not the only one that has been waiting for this day; even though hes only been out of the lineup for 3 days, lol. But anyways, Jacoby's right groin is feeling better and he is back in the lineup tonight. He will be playing center field, while Coco Crisp gets the night off; which i believe is that way that it should always be ;)

As of right now the tarp is on the field, and there is a rain delay at Fenway. The rain is still falling pretty hard, and starting time is hopefully going to be at about 8:30.

Making Some Changes...

2008-05-02T15:35:00.005-04:00

I'm thinking about making my blog strictly Jacoby Ellsbury. However, i'm not sure yet. Because i figure that all of the Red Sox posts that i make arent really exciting, because i'm just summarizing the game, and you can find summaries anywhere. So i'm thinking of making it strictly Jacoby Ellsbury, because yes- he is my favorite player -but also because i figure that i can find stories and updates on him that you may not be able to find as easily as a summary of each game. I also figure that since my blog's not even popular, making a change wouldnt really affect anyone because no one barely visits my blog as it is..lol. But let me know what you think. =)

UPDATE- I will be making this blog strictly Jacoby Ellsbury. I've thought about it, and i came to the conclusion that it would just make more sense because like what i said before- as of right now, i'm just summarizing the game, and you can find summaries anywhere.

In Tek We Trust!!! Sox win 2-1

2008-04-30T22:10:00.008-04:00

I am absolutely speechless right now! And believe me, i'm usually one that never shuts up! Another fricken AMAZING game!!!! Heres a short recap of the 9th inning- Ortiz got a single, Manny got walked, Jed pinch ran for Papi, Moss hit a single up the middle, Jed tried to score, Wells threw him out, everyone stopped breathing (well, i did),Tek got a single up the middle, Manny scored from 2nd!! And the Sox get their 2nd walk off win-- IN A ROW. Earlier in the game, Papi got a homerun, which gave us the initial lead. Ortiz's homerun also broke the 39 inning streak without an extra-base hit that the Sox had going.

Its creepy though, because its like deja vu since we won in the same exact way as last night. And even though the offense is still a little weak, we are winning- which is definately what matters the most. Tonights win is the 12th come from behind win this season.

The pitching also continues to be amazing, as Diasuke Matsuzaka pitched 7 strong innings with 4 strikeouts and only allowing 2 hits. Tomorrows starting pitcher will be Tim Wakefield as he tries to get his 3rd win on the 08' season. Hopefully he will continue the 'trend' and pitch a great game. He will be up against AJ Burnett who as of right now, has a record of 2-2.

Ahh, I kind of forgot how it feels to win!

2008-04-30T20:05:00.006-04:00

After losing 5 straight games, which includes being swept by Tampa Bay, we finally won! Jon Lester's amazing 8 inning, shut out, 6 K, 1 hit pitching last night suprised everyone; well at least me. However, even though he had an unbelievable performance, he did not get the win. Jonathan Papelbon came in in the 9th inning and just completely closed the door on the Blue Jays. Oh, and of course we cant forget Dustin Pedroias magnificent diving play! Wells hit a hard grounder up the middle, almost taking Papelbons head off, and Dusty made a diving play to stop the ball, and got it to 1st base for the out. At this point, there was a runner at 2nd base- and if Dusty hadn't stopped the ball, the runner would have scored. Halladay, who pitched a shutout game up until the 9th inning got the loss, and was very upset about it-- if you were watching NESN then you probably saw him saying "Are you fuckin shitting me" after Youk hit the walk off single which scored Ortiz from 2nd base to give the Sox the 1-0 win. Ortiz had been walked, Manny got a single which advanced Papi to 2nd base, and then Yooouuuuk hit the single which finally broke the 5 game losing streak and gave a sigh of relief to Red Sox Nation.

As for an injury update- Mike Lowell is back at 3rd base! However, the Sox just cant stay healthy! The flu is beginning to leave the bull pen, and all of the 'victums' are recovering, however, injuries are still hurting us. As you probably know, Sean Casey is on the 15 day DL, which isnt too serious because Mikey is back, so Youk is back at 1st, but if anything was to happen, we dont have a 1st basemen-- well i guess we could use Ortiz? haha. But anyways, JD Drew's left quadriceps are bothering him, which kept him out of the lineup for tonight; Brandon Moss is playing for him. And then Jacoby Ellsbury's groin is still bothering him, however both Drew and Ellsbury's injuries arent anything serious..as of right now. Ellsbury said that his groin is much better today, however Tito just didnt want to risk anything by putting him in the lineup tonight. Drew is listed at day to day as of right now. As your read above, Dustin made a diving play in the 9th inning of last nights game. It was a great play, however he did end up pulling his shoulder out of its socket. Fortunately, his shoulder is fine; and he is in the lineup tonight. As for Alex Cora- he is "progressing with his throwing program, but there's no set timetable for his return" -RedSox.com